Effects of Lactobacillus buchneri as a silage inoculant and as a probiotic on feed intake,apparent digestibility and ruminal fermentation and microbiology in wethers fed low‐dry‐matter whole‐crop maize silage

Lactobacillus buchneri was investigated as a silage inoculant and as a probiotic on feed intake, apparent digestibility, and ruminal fermentation and microbiology in wethers fed low‐dry‐matter (DM) whole‐crop maize silage. Maize forage (279 g/kg DM) was ensiled without inoculant (untreated) and with L. buchneri CNCM I‐4323 at 1 × 10⁵ cfu/g fresh forage (inoculated). Six cannulated wethers were arranged in a double 3 × 3 Latin square and assigned to one of three diets: (i) untreated maize silage (untreated), (ii) inoculated maize silage (inoculated), and (iii) untreated maize silage with a daily dose of L. buchneri (1 × 10⁷ cfu/g supplied silage) injected directly into the rumen (LB‐probiotic). Wethers fed the inoculated diet had a higher (p = .050) DM intake (1.30% body weight [BW]) than wethers fed untreated and LB‐probiotic diets (1.17% and 1.18% BW respectively). The relative proportion of Ruminococcus flavefaciens (proportion of total estimated rumen bacterial 16S rDNA) in the rumen of wethers fed inoculated and LB‐probiotic diets (both 0.42%) tended (p = .098) to be lower than in the untreated diet (0.83%). Lactobacillus buchneri as a silage inoculant or as a probiotic had little effect on the variables measured in wethers.     

Effect of Lactobacillus buchneri 40788 on the fermentation,aerobic stability and nutritive value of maize silage

The effect of adding Lactobacillus buchneri 40788, a heterofermentative lactobacilli, to whole‐plant maize and its effect on fermentation and aerobic stability of the resulting silage were evaluated. Whole‐plant maize (380 g DM kg^–1 fresh weight) was ensiled in laboratory silos after the following treatments: untreated, L. buchneri 40788 at 1 × 10⁵, 2·5 × 10⁵, 5 × 10⁵, and 1 × 10⁶ colony forming units g^–1 of fresh forage or, a commercial inoculant containing homolactic acid bacteria, a single species of propionibacteria and enzymes. Addition of L. buchneri 40788 resulted in a decrease in lactic acid concentration but increased the concentration of acetic acid in silage and markedly decreased the numbers of yeasts present in the silage. All levels of L. buchneri 40788, increased the aerobic stability of silages but the effect was greatest for the two highest levels of inoculation. Treatment with the commercial inoculant had no effect on the fermentation or aerobic stability of silage. On‐farm treatment of maize silage with L. buchneri 40788, stored in a bag silo, resulted in changes in fermentation that were similar to those observed in laboratory silos. Treatment decreased the numbers of yeast in silage and increased aerobic stability (+25 h) of the silage when exposed to air. Treatment had no effect on the dry‐matter intake of silage fed to sheep. These results showed that treating silage with L. buchneri 40788 can increase the aerobic stability of maize silage in laboratory and farm silos.     

The effects of lactic acid bacteria on the fermentation,aerobic stability and nutritive value of maize silage

Maize was harvested at one‐third milk line (297 g kg^?1 DM) stage. All inoculants were applied at 1 × 10⁶ cfu g^?1 of fresh forage. After treatment, the chopped forages were ensiled in 1·5‐L anaerobic jars. Three jars per treatment were sampled on days 2, 4, 7, 12 and 90 after ensiling, for chemical and microbiological analysis. Homofermentative LAB‐inoculated silages had lower pH and higher lactate:acetate ratio (except for Lactobacillus plantarum/Pediococcus cerevisiae and L. plantarum/Propionibacterium acidipropionici) than the control and both heterofermentative LAB‐inoculated silages. Both L. buchneri inhibited yeast growth and CO₂ production during exposure of silage to air. The L. plantarum/P. cerevisiae, L. plantarum (Ecosyl) and L. plantarum/Enterococcus faecium‐inoculated silages had higher dry‐matter digestibility than the control and L. buchneri‐inoculated silages. Inoculants did not affect digestibility of neutral detergent fibre, except for L. buchneri (Biotal), organic matter nor ME content of silages. The LAB silage inoculants generally had a positive effect on maize silage characteristics in terms of lower pH and shifting fermentation toward lactate with homofermentative LAB or toward acetate with L. buchneri. The use of L. buchneri can improve the aerobic stability of maize silages by the inhibition of yeast activity.     

Validation of the Rostock fermentation test as an in vitro method to estimate ensilability of forages using glass jar model silages as a basis for comparison

This study compared the predictive power of an in vitro fermentation test [Rostock fermentation test (RFT)] with common glass jar silages (GLASS) using maize, fresh and wilted perennial ryegrass and fresh and wilted lucerne. Treatments were made in quadruplicate and included a control variant without additives, sucrose (20 g kg^?1), a homolactic inoculant (Lactobacillus plantarum, 3 × 10⁵ cfu g^?1), a heterolactic inoculant (Lactobacillus buchneri, 1 × 10⁵ cfu g^?1) and combinations of each inoculant with sucrose. The pH was measured in GLASS at days 1·5, 3, 10 and 90, and in RFT at 14, 18, 22, 26, 38 and 46 h, whereas fermentation products were determined at days 3 and 90 in GLASS, and at 46 h in RFT. Linear regressions revealed the closest relation for pH between 10‐d silages of GLASS and 38‐h measurement of RFT (adjusted R² = 0·808) and coefficients of determination for fermentation products were always higher when 3‐d instead of 90‐d silages were compared with 46‐h measurement of RFT. A pH increase in GLASS as indicator of insufficient anaerobic stability was not reproduced by RFT, suggesting that the in vitro test reflects the initial phase of fermentation, which was also indicated by the absence of 1,2‐propanediol in RFT.     

Effects of Lactobacillus buchneri isolated from tropical maize silage on fermentation and aerobic stability of maize and sugarcane silages

This study was aimed to perform a screening of Lactobacillus buchneri strains from maize silage and use them as inoculant in maize and sugarcane silages. In all, 151 lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains were isolated from whole‐plant maize silage, and their identification was based on the sequence analysis of 16S rDNA. In total, 15 strains were categorized to the L. buchneri group and eight of these were selected based on growth rate and fermentation pattern. The selected strains were evaluated on fermentation and aerobic stability of maize and sugarcane silages. For maize, the inoculated silages had lower pH and higher LAB population, but lower acetic acid concentration in comparison with the untreated control silage. For sugarcane silage, the strains 56.1, 56.4 and 40788 resulted in highest dry‐matter (DM) content and lowest DM losses. However, only the strain 40788 showed lowest counts of yeasts and moulds. Sugarcane silages inoculated with the strains 56.9, 56.26 and the untreated control silage showed highest concentrations of lactic acid and ethanol, besides the great DM losses. Even so, for both crops, the aerobic stability was not affected by inoculation. After air exposure, all silages increased temperature and had high population of yeast and moulds. Nevertheless, the strains 56.1 and 56.4 are promising for use as a silage inoculant.     

Effect of chitosan on the preservation quality of sugarcane silage

We aimed to evaluate the effects of chitosan and microbial inoculant addition to sugarcane silage fermentation, gas and effluent losses, chemical composition, in situ dry matter (DM), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) degradation and aerobic stability. A completely randomized design with four treatments (n = 40) was performed. It was arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial scheme with chitosan [0 and 6 g/kg of sugarcane DM—1.66 g/kg of natural matter (NM)] and microbial inoculant (0 and 8 mg/kg on NM). Each g of inoculant contained 3.9 × 10¹⁰ UFC/g of Pediococcus acidilactici and 3.75 × 10¹⁰ UFC/g of Propionibacterium acidicipropionici. The addition of microbial inoculant increased lactic acid concentration in silos treated with chitosan. Furthermore, chitosan increased pH and tended to increase acetic acid of silage. In contrast, the inoculant decreased pH and acetic acid, besides increasing ethanol concentration. As chitosan addition increased DM recovery, inoculant addition decreased it. Chitosan decreased NDF and acid detergent fibre (ADF) level and increased DM degradation, while inoculant decreased DM content, DM and NDF degradation. In addition, chitosan improved the aerobic stability only in non‐inoculated silos. Thus, chitosan has a positive effect on silage fermentation, reducing fermentative losses, and improving silage chemical composition and degradation. Conversely, the addition of microbial inoculant negatively affected silage DM recovery, chemical composition, and its association with chitosan decreased the aerobic stability when compared to the exclusive use of chitosan.     

Effect of the Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Lentilactobacillus buchneri on corn and sorghum silage quality and sheep energy partition under tropical conditions

This study aimed to evaluate the silage quality, ingestive behaviour, and sheep energy partition fed corn and sorghum silages, with or without inoculation with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Lentilactobacillus buchneri. Whole plants of one dent corn hybrid (DCS), one flint corn hybrid (FCS), and one forage sorghum hybrid (SS) were ensiled with or without an inoculant containing L. plantarum and L. buchneri (4 × 10⁵ CFU g⁻¹), totalling six treatments (3 × 2 factorial scheme). The treatments were ensiled in metal drums with 200 L capacity. The lactic acid concentrations in the inoculated FCS and DCS were higher by 13.4% and 12.8%, respectively, than those in the non-inoculated plants. In contrast, the lactic acid concentration in the inoculated SS was 23.1% lower than that in the non-inoculated SS. Furthermore, there were differences in pH and acetic acid concentrations only in SS, which were 2.3% and 45.2% higher, respectively, in inoculated silage than in non-inoculated silage. In inoculated DCS and SS, propionic acid concentrations were 1.7 times higher (for both silages), and 1-propanol was 3.7 and 1.8 times higher compared than those in non-inoculated silages. There was a main effect of the inoculant on 1,2-propanediol concentrations, which were 37.5% higher in inoculated silages than in non-inoculated silages. However, ingestive behaviour, heat and methane production, and silage net energy concentrations were not affected by inoculant use. Fermentative modifications caused by inoculation with L. plantarum and L. buchneri in whole plant corn or sorghum silage did not modify sheep energy partition.     

Effects of an indigenous and a commercial Lactobacillus buchneri strain on quality of sugar cane silage

The aim was to evaluate the effects of adding a novel Lactobacillus buchneri strain and a commercial inoculant on the fermentation and aerobic stability of sugar cane silages (Saccharum spp.). In the first experiment samples were collected from sugar cane silage at 5, 20, 40 and 80 d after ensilage in experimental silos and microorganisms belonging to the Lactobacillus genus were isolated and identified, with a wild strain of L. buchneri, UFLA SIL 72, being selected as an inoculant. In the second experiment sugar cane was inoculated with either the novel bacteria or a commercial inoculant at the moment of ensiling and compared with a control silage prepared without an inoculant. Experimental silos were opened at 0, 3, 10, 30, 60 and 90 d of ensilage and their chemical composition measured. The silages opened after 90 d were also assessed for aerobic stability. The addition of L. buchneri resulted in a higher concentration of acetic acid and reduced populations of yeasts in silage compared to the other silage treatments, and a lower ethanol concentration in the silage. The novel L. buchneri isolate and the commercial inoculant also improved aerobic stability of the sugar cane silages. It was concluded that the addition of the novel inoculants L. buchneri UFLA SIL 72 to sugar cane silage can be recommended.     

Possibilities of increasing the residual water‐soluble carbohydrate concentration and aerobic stability of low dry‐matter perennial ryegrass silage through additive and cultivar use

Increasing the residual water‐soluble carbohydrate (WSC) concentration in silage may improve the nutritional value but impair aerobic stability. Our aim was to determine whether the residual WSC concentration and aerobic stability of low dry‐matter (<135 g kg^?1) perennial ryegrass silage could be manipulated through the judicious use of additive and cultivar. Seven additive treatments, including three innovative treatments, were compared across four consecutive harvests of the cultivars AberDart (bred to accumulate high concentrations of herbage WSC) and Fennema (control). The standard of fermentation of silage ensiled without additive (untreated) ranged from very bad to excellent. Application of ammonium tetraformate, at 3 and 6 L t^?1, or homofermentative lactic acid bacteria (LAB) alone had an inconsistent effect on the fermentation and aerobic stability, and negligible effect on residual WSC concentration. A mixture of Lactobacillus buchneri and homofermentative LAB was not an effective silage additive, producing generally poorly fermented silage. An antimicrobial mixture of sodium benzoate, sodium propionate, sodium nitrite and hexamethylenetetramine, applied at 2·5 and 5 L t^?1, frequently improved the standard of fermentation, but the effects were subject to the application rate. The high application rate was the most effective additive evaluated at improving the fermentation and increasing residual WSC concentration and consistently produced silage of excellent standard of fermentation. However, the antimicrobial mixture was not effective at protecting against aerobic instability. The effects of additive treatment were largely inconsistent across cultivars. Overall, AberDart had a negligible effect on the silage fermentation, residual WSC concentration and aerobic stability compared with Fennema.     

Separating the effects of forage source and field microbiota on silage fermentation quality and aerobic stability

This study attempted to separate the effects of forage source and field microbiota on silage fermentation quality and aerobic stability. Single samples of grass, red clover and maize were used. Field microbiota was obtained by centrifugation of microbial suspensions of the three samples. The intact forages were dried and sterilized by heating at 60°C for 3 h + 103°C for 15 h, inoculated in a 3 (forage) × 3 (inoculum) design and reconstituted to a dry‐matter level of 400 g kg^?1 before ensiling. After ensiling for 71 d, subsamples were subjected to an 8‐d aerobic stability test, which included temperature and pH measurements. Bacterial community analysis was performed on samples before and after ensiling by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Forage source had a marked effect on the levels of lactic acid, acetic acid, ammonia‐N and 2,3‐butanediol, but microbiota source only affected the acetic acid concentration. The forage and microbiota as well as their interactions affected silage stability variables. The maize microbiota improved silage stability, whereas silages made from the maize forage had the poorest stability. Bacterial community analysis revealed higher abundance of lactic acid bacteria on the maize forage, with Lactococcus and Leuconostoc being the dominant genera. These preliminary results suggested that fermentation quality is mainly affected by forage source, whereas the aerobic stability is affected by both forage and field microbiota.     

Lactic acid bacteria strains for enhancing the fermentation quality and aerobic stability of Leymus chinensis silage

Leymus chinensis is an important grass in China and Russia. Six lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains (LB, LPL1, LPL2, LPL3, LCL and WH) from L. chinensis silage were screened and identified and their effects on fermentation quality were investigated. All six strains were grown at 6·5% NaCl and pH 4·00. Strains LPL1, LPL2 and LPL3 were identified as Lactobacillus plantarum, and LB, WH and LCL were classified as Lactobacillus brevis, Weissella hellenica and Lactobacillus casei respectively. The six isolated strains and a commercial inoculant (Lactobacillus buchneri) were added to L. chinensis for ensiling at densities of 500 and 600 kg m^?3. The control was sprayed with the same volume of distilled water. The effects of the strains on fermentation quality after 45 d ensiling and aerobic stability during 8 d of exposure to air were evaluated. The 600 kg m^?3 silage had lower pH, butyric acid, ammonia nitrogen content and coliform bacteria counts than the 500 kg m^?3 density silage (P < 0·05). The six isolated strains decreased pH, butyric acid content and increased lactic acid content, and all inoculants increased L. chinensis silage aerobic stability except LCL (P < 0·05). The fermentation quality of L. chinensis silage increased with higher ensiling density. The LAB strains improved the fermentation quality, and high‐quality silage could be obtained at low ensiling density with the addition of the LAB strains. The strains improved the aerobic stability; Lb. buchneri and Lb. brevis showed the best performance.     

Impact of ferulic acid esterase‐producing lactobacilli and fibrolytic enzymes on ensiling and digestion kinetics of mixed small‐grain silage

This study evaluated the effects of a ferulic acid esterase (FAE) and a non‐FAE‐producing inoculant applied alone or in combination with exogenous fibrolytic enzymes (EFE) on the fermentation and nutritive value of mixed grain (barley, oats and spring triticale) silage. The mixed crop was ensiled in laboratory mini‐silos either untreated (CON), or treated with a FAE inoculant (FAE), a non‐FAE inoculant (NFAE) or NFAE + EFE. Inoculated silages were lower (P < 0·01) in water‐soluble carbohydrate, whereas NFAE and NFAE + EFE silages had higher (P < 0·001) DM loss than other silages. FAE and NFAE silage had higher neutral detergent fibre (NDF), but were lower in NFAE + EFE than other silages (P < 0·001). Copy numbers of 16S rRNA associated with Lactobacillus buchneri were higher (P < 0·001) in NFAE and NFAE + EFE silages than in others, resulting in higher (P < 0·001) acetic acid in these silages. NFAE + EFE silage had lower (P < 0·001) in vitro gas production and NDF digestibility (NDFD) than other silages. FAE silage had higher (P < 0·01) in situNDFD than CON and NFAE + EFE silages. Inoculation of mixed small‐grain silage with NFAE‐producing inoculants combining EFE reduced NDFD.     

Fermentation characteristics and aerobic stability of grass silage inoculated with Lactobacillus buchneri, with or without homofermentative lactic acid bacteria

Aerobic spoilage by yeasts and moulds is a major cause of reduced nutritional value of silage and increases the risk of potential pathogenic microorganisms. Recent studies have shown that inoculation with Lactobacillus buchneri inhibits yeast growth and reduces the susceptibility to aerobic spoilage of various ensiled forages. The aim of this study was to determine whether these effects are retained when L. buchneri is added in combination with homofermentative lactic acid bacteria. In three experiments, silages were produced from perennial ryegrass [240–421 g kg⁻¹ dry matter (DM)] inoculated with L. buchneri or L. buchneri plus a mixture of Pediococcus pentosaceus and Lactobacillus plantarum (inoculant PL). Uninoculated silage and silage inoculated with PL alone served as controls. Silages were examined for pH and DM loss in the course of ensilage and chemical and microbiological composition and aerobic stability after 3–4 months. L. buchneri plus PL and PL alone increased the initial rate of pH decline. L. buchneri alone and L. buchneri plus PL enhanced aerobic stability and, in general, reduced yeast and mould counts. In addition, these inoculants increased the final pH and DM loss and the concentrations of acetic acid and 1,2-propanediol (or propionic acid and 1-propanol instead of 1,2-propanediol), and decreased the concentration of lactic acid. The effects of L. buchneri on fermentation products increased with decreasing DM content. In silages of less than 270 g kg⁻¹ DM, L. buchneri increased the ammonia-N concentration. It is suggested that this was associated with the relatively high final pH resulting from the high metabolic activity of L. buchneri in these silages.     

Effect of formic acid and a bacterial inoculant on the amino acid composition of grass silage and on animal performance

An Italian ryegrass and hybrid ryegrass sward was harvested on 11 May 1994. The mean dry‐matter (DM) content of the herbage was 197 g kg^–1 fresh matter (FM), and mean nitrogen and water‐soluble carbohydrate contents were 20 and 272 g kg^–1 DM respectively. Approximately 72% of total nitrogen (TN) was in the form of protein‐nitrogen. The herbage was treated with either no additive, formic acid (3·3 l t^–1) (Add‐F, BP) or inoculant (2·3 l t^–1) (Live‐system, Genus) and ensiled in 100 t silos. Changes in effluent composition with time showed that silage fermentation and protein breakdown were delayed by treatment with formic acid. Formic acid and inoculant treatments also inhibited amino acid catabolism during ensilage. All silages were well fermented at opening with pH values < 4·0 and ammonia‐N concentrations of ≤ 50 g kg^–1 TN after 120 d ensilage. Treatment had an effect on protein breakdown as measured by free amino acid concentration, with values of 21·5, 18·2 and 13·2 mol kg^–1 N at opening (191 d) for untreated, formic acid‐treated and inoculated silages respectively. Amino acid catabolism occurred to the greatest extent in untreated silages with significant decreases in glutamic acid, lysine and arginine, and increases in gamma amino butyric acid and ornithine. The silages were offered ad libitum without concentrate supplementation to thirty‐six Charolais beef steers for a period of 69 d (mean live weight 401 kg). Silage dry‐matter intakes and liveweight gains were significantly (P < 0·05) higher on the treated silages. Silage dry‐matter intakes were 7·42, 8·41 and 8·23 kg d^–1 (s.e.d. 0·27) with liveweight gains of 0·66, 0·94 and 0·89 kg d^–1 (s.e.d. 0·058) for untreated, formic acid‐treated and inoculated silage‐fed cattle respectively. In conclusion, additives increased the intake of silage and liveweight gain by the beef steers, and it is suggested that this may be caused in part by the amino acid balance in these silages.     

The influence of grass and maize silage quality on apparent diet digestibility, metabolizable energy concentration and intake of finishing beef cattle

The effects of offering a range of grass silages and mixtures of grass and maize silages on the intake of beef cattle were studied. Four grass silages (GS1, GS2, GS3 and GS4) were used. Grass silage 1 was ensiled from a second regrowth in mid‐late September and treated with an inoculant additive. Grass silages 2, 3 and 4 were ensiled, without additive, from a primary regrowth harvested in early July, late May and mid‐June respectively. Wilting periods were 8, 30, 36 and 36 h for GS1, GS2, GS3 and GS4 respectively. Grass silages 1, 2 and 3 were precision chopped and ensiled in bunker silos, while GS4 was ensiled in round bales. The DM content (g kg^?1) and starch concentration (g kg^?1 DM) of the three maize silages (MS1, MS2 and MS3) used were 256 and 128, 256 and 184, and 402 and 328 for MS1, MS2 and MS3 respectively. Seventy‐two Charolais and Limousin cross‐bred steers were used in a changeover design with two 4‐week periods. The study consisted of sixteen treatments incorporating the four grass silages fed alone and with the three maize silages arranged as a 4 × 4 factorial design. The grass silage and maize silage mixtures were offered in a ratio of 0·60:0·40 (DM basis) once daily using individual Calan gates. All silages were offered ad libitum with 3 kg per head per day of a concentrate supplement. Dry matter and metabolizable energy (ME) intakes were highest with diets based on grass silage GS4 compared with diets containing the other grass silages. Metabolizable energy intakes of diets containing no maize silage, and those based on MS1 and MS2, were similar (P > 0·05) but lower than that of diets containing MS3. Only limited increases were found in DM and ME intakes with the inclusion of maize silage in grass silage‐based diets while offering high‐quality grass silage (assessed in terms of DM content, and fibre and N concentrations) promoted high voluntary intakes.     

A new sterilization and inoculation method in silage research

The study aimed at evaluating an effective sterilization–inoculation technique to facilitate silage research on the effect of forage microflora on fermentation variables. The sterilization effect of heating at 60°C for 3 h + 103°C for 15 h was tested on samples of grass, grass–clover, white clover and maize, pre‐dried at 60°C to a dry‐matter (DM) content >900 g kg^?1. The ensilability of treated samples, reconstituted to original DM concentration (250–390 g kg^?1), was assessed by inoculation with microfloras extracted from the original samples. Microfloral inoculants were obtained by a combination of centrifugation (15 500  g for 40 min) and filtration (0·45 and 0·22 μm pore sizes) of the supernatant. The sterilization treatment effectively sterilized the forage samples but decreased water soluble carbohydrates by 49% and N buffer solubility by 22% and increased the acid detergent insoluble N proportion of total N by 53% (P < 0·05). The reconstituted silages had 18% less lactic acid, 20% less ethanol and 37% less ammonia‐N (P < 0·05), but volatile fatty acids and 2,3‐butanediol did not differ from the untreated silages (P > 0·05). Counts of lactic acid bacteria, enterobacteria, clostridia, yeasts and moulds in the two silage treatments were also similar (P > 0·05). It is concluded that, despite causing chemical and physical alterations, the sterilization–inoculation technique evaluated could be a useful tool for future studies on the effects of microflora on ensiling results.     

Methylotrophic yeast,lactic acid bacteria and glycerine as additives for sugarcane silage

The ensiling of sugarcane results in high dry‐matter (DM) loss, but the addition of glycerine may compensate for the loss during ensiling. Methanol is the most undesirable contaminant of crude glycerine destined for animal feeding. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of the yeast strain Pichia methanolica NCYC 1381 to reduce the methanol concentration in sugarcane silage inoculated with Lactobacillus hilgardii CCMA 0170 + glycerine. A randomized design consisted of four dose rates of glycerine (0, 4, 8 and 12% of fresh forage), three periods of silage fermentation (11, 34 and 68 d) and three combinations of microbial additives [L. hilgardii (LH), L. hilgardii plus P. methanolica (LH + PM) and without microbial additive (WI)]. The DM of the fresh sugarcane was 275 g kg^?1. The linear reduction in neutral detergent fibre caused by glycerine inclusion was probably due to a dilution effect. The LH treatment increased the concentrations of the succinic, acetic and propionic acids, and 1,2‐propanediol, and reduced the yeast population. The LH + PM treatment increased DM loss of sugarcane silage with 12% glycerine and L. hilgardii CCMA 0170 (6·1 log cfu g^?1 of FM) reduced the DM loss when compared to the silage without additives. Under the conditions of the experiment, the P. methanolica treatment did not reduce the methanol concentration in silage.     

Effects of inoculants and wilting on silage fermentation and nutritive characteristics of red clover–grass mixtures

Various management practices (e.g. wilting, application of silage additives or adding a grass component) can be used to improve silage fermentation of pure red clover (Trifolium pratense L.). Therefore, the aim of this laboratory ensiling study was to investigate the effects of varying proportions of red clover and perennial ryegrass (100/0, 66/33, 33/66, 0/100) on silage quality during two consecutive years. In addition, two wilting levels [target dry matter (DM): 300 vs. 400 g kg^?1] in combination with lactic acid bacteria (LAB) additives were tested. Herbage was ensiled, either untreated or inoculated with homofermentative LAB (low wilted) or homo‐ and heterofermentative LAB (high wilted). In most cases, lactic and acetic acid decreased as the proportions of ryegrass were increased. Data concerning ammonia‐N concentrations showed considerable differences between cuts and years. Silages treated with homofermentative LAB generally had high lactic acid and low final pH, whereas acetic acid and 1,2‐propanediol tended to be higher when homo‐ and heterofermentative LAB were applied. Inoculants had a positive effect on DM losses and ammonia‐N in only a few silages. Wilting decreased DM losses and fermentation acids at most cuts, irrespective of the grass/clover ratio in the herbage mixture. There was a strong year effect on the organic matter digestibility (DOM) of the silages. In conclusion, the optimal strategy for successful silage fermentation of red clover is the ensiling in mixtures with ryegrass. Furthermore, herbage should be wilted to a DM content of about 300–350 g kg^?1. The application of LAB inoculants did not alter the DOM but did improve silage fermentation.     

A meta‐analysis examining lactic acid bacteria inoculants for maize silage: Effects on fermentation,aerobic stability,nutritive value and livestock production

A database containing 140 articles published in journals (731 treatment means evaluated) was used to examine the effect of different lactic acid bacteria (LAB) on fermentation, chemical composition and aerobic stability of maize (corn) silage. Compared with the control, dry matter (DM) loss increased by 8% and 50% (p < .01) due to inoculation of maize silage with either homolactic LAB (^hoLAB) or heterolactic LAB (^heLAB). In vitro DM digestibility of maize silage increased only with ^hoLAB inoculation (+2.22%; p < .01). The ^heLAB inoculation increased (p < .01) the aerobic stability of maize silage by 71.3 hr. To investigate the effect of silage inoculation on livestock production, a second database comprising 35 articles [99 treatment means evaluated based on results from 648 cattle (429 beef cattle and 219 dairy cows) and 298 sheep] was used. Inoculation of maize silage with either ^hoLAB or ^heLAB did not affect milk yield (p > .05), but their combination (^mixLAB) depressed milk yield (–2.5 kg/day; p < .01). Inoculation with ^hoLAB increased DM intake in sheep (+0.15 kg/day; p = .02), but decreased it in beef cattle (–0.26 kg/day; p = .01) without affecting average daily gain for both sheep and beef cattle (p ≥ .06). In conclusion, fermentative loss increased regardless of the bacterial inoculant used, while aerobic stability increased mainly by using ^heLAB. Benefits from ^hoLAB inoculation on animal performance were noted only for feed intake in sheep, while productive performances of dairy cows and beef cattle were not improved.     

Effectiveness of chopped lucerne hay as a moisture absorbent for low dry‐matter maize silage: Effluent reduction,fermentation quality and intake by sheep

This study determined effects of addition of lucerne hay (LH) as moisture absorbent on effluent reduction, fermentation and subsequent intake of maize (corn) silage by sheep. Treatments included maize forage ensiled without LH (LH0), with 50 g/kg LH (LH5) and with 100 g/kg LH (LH10) on a fresh weight basis. Silages were made in 150‐kg bags in triplicate. Upon opening, representative samples from each bag were taken twice weekly during a feeding trial and used for laboratory analyses in a completely randomized design. Silages were fed ad libitum to six ewes in a duplicated 3 × 3 Latin square design with 21‐day periods for intake and digestibility determination. Lucerne hay incorporation linearly increased DM, ash, water‐soluble carbohydrates, buffering capacity and pH of silages, while it linearly decreased ammonia nitrogen, acetic acid and ethanol concentrations (p < .05). Effluent volume linearly decreased from 33 ml/kg in LH0 to 0.8 ml/kg in LH10. Addition of LH resulted in a linear increase in intakes of organic matter and fibre in ewes, while digestibilities of these nutrients linearly decreased (p < .05). Lucerne hay addition improved fermentation parameters and resulted in increased intake of maize silage without having negative impact on aerobic stability.